Michigan is home to countless hidden gems. We try to keep up with them all, but it’s really a full-time job. Thing is, some of these jewels hold secrets to our past. They give us a clue about how things were done back in the day.
Here are some such places that you may or may not be familiar with. Have a look!
- Shipwreck Cove, Lake Huron and Michigan
xray10/Flickr Centuries ago, thousands of ships traversed the Great Lakes to quickly transport goods. Many of those ships didn’t make it and now languish at the bottom of the landlocked sea.
- Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids
Madison Berndt/Flickr This 125-acre garden and sculpture park is brimming with internationally-acclaimed statues and other large scale pieces of art, thus bringing a piece of culture to the Midwest.
- Copper mines of the UP
All Things Michigan/Flickr Copper mining was a very important aspect to Michigan’s economy in the 19th and early 20th century. Today, many of those mines are abandoned, but still intact, serving as constant reminders of yesteryear.
- Nickels Arcade, Ann Arbor
Bob Julius/Flickr Could this be the precursor to the modern shopping mall? Built in 1918, this covered shopping center is still in use today.
- The Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn
Jasperdo/Flickr If there was a piece of pop culture that wasn’t included in the Henry Ford’s exhibit, we wanna know about it. The place is chock full of history lessons on display.
- Michigan Theater, Detroit
Rex Brown/Flickr Once a magnificent Broadway-style theater, this venue is now a parking structure.
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, UP
Joy VanBuhler/Flickr Centuries of the lake water eroding these stone bluffs have caused some breathtaking imagery, thus the Pictured Rocks moniker.
- Meyer May House, Grand Rapids
Friscocali/Flickr This landmark home was designed by the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright… It’s really worth scoping out the stunning architecture.
- GAR Building, Detroit
Republic/Facebook Officially known as the Grand Army of the Republic building, this castle-like structure was originally constructed to house activities related to veterans of the Civil War Union Army in 1899. These days, it’s been restored and includes office space and two restaurants.
- Air Zoo, Kalamazoo
xray10/Flickr
Centuries ago, thousands of ships traversed the Great Lakes to quickly transport goods. Many of those ships didn’t make it and now languish at the bottom of the landlocked sea.
Madison Berndt/Flickr
This 125-acre garden and sculpture park is brimming with internationally-acclaimed statues and other large scale pieces of art, thus bringing a piece of culture to the Midwest.
All Things Michigan/Flickr
Copper mining was a very important aspect to Michigan’s economy in the 19th and early 20th century. Today, many of those mines are abandoned, but still intact, serving as constant reminders of yesteryear.
Bob Julius/Flickr
Could this be the precursor to the modern shopping mall? Built in 1918, this covered shopping center is still in use today.
Jasperdo/Flickr
If there was a piece of pop culture that wasn’t included in the Henry Ford’s exhibit, we wanna know about it. The place is chock full of history lessons on display.
Rex Brown/Flickr
Once a magnificent Broadway-style theater, this venue is now a parking structure.
Joy VanBuhler/Flickr
Centuries of the lake water eroding these stone bluffs have caused some breathtaking imagery, thus the Pictured Rocks moniker.
Friscocali/Flickr
This landmark home was designed by the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright… It’s really worth scoping out the stunning architecture.
Republic/Facebook
Officially known as the Grand Army of the Republic building, this castle-like structure was originally constructed to house activities related to veterans of the Civil War Union Army in 1899. These days, it’s been restored and includes office space and two restaurants.
This aviation museum and amusement park holds a number of historical and rare aircraft. Many of these beauties are still airworthy.
Bet you learned a few new things, huh? Tell us – what hidden, old-time gems are on your radar?
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